TSA Tweaking Carry-On Rules

Gearing up for the hectic Thanksgiving travel week, federal airport security officials have made two more tweaks in the three-month-old rules restricting liquids and gels in carry-on baggage.

Travelers can now carry containers of liquids and gels up to 3.4 ounces, or 100 milliliters, instead of the prior 3-ounce limit, as long as the containers they are carrying fit in a single, clear quart-sized bag, Transportation Security Administration officials said yesterday.

Also, travelers can carry containers bigger than 3.4 ounces, as long as they are holding roughly 3 ounces of liquid or gel material and can fit inside the same quart-sized bag. Put another way, half-empty 6- and 8-ounce containers of toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner, and mouthwash are now allowed.

George N. Naccara, the TSA chief for Logan International Airport and airports throughout the Northeast, said the 100-milliliter rule is intended to help travelers carrying European metric-denominated toiletries.

Bans on larger quantities of liquids and gels were imposed after British security officials in August broke up an alleged plot to blow up 10 trans-Atlantic jetliners with bombs mixed from carry-on liquids.

"We now have some discretion at the checkpoint," Naccara said. During Thanksgiving week last year, Naccara said, the longest checkpoint wait any Logan travelers faced was 12 minutes. "Because of the change with liquids, gels, and aerosols this year, it could result in a little bit more of a delay this year," he said at Logan yesterday.